raven

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Related to raven: Common Raven

raven

raven, common name for the largest members of the family Corvidae (crow family), ranging throughout the arctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The common raven, Corvus corax, is a glossy black scavenging bird about 26 in. (66 cm) long, with a call resembling a guttural croak. Long the subject of superstition and legend, the raven can be tamed and taught to mimic human speech. Ravens are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Corvidae.

Bibliography

See studies by B. Heinrich (repr. 1991; 1999).

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Raven

(Corvus corax), a bird of the crow family, in the Passeriformes order. Body length, 60-65 cm. Black in color with blue or green metallic tint; young ravens are mat black. The distribution of ravens is very broad: they are found in Europe, Asia (excluding the southeast), North and Central America, and North Africa; in the USSR they are every-where except in densely populated areas. Ravens are not numerous. They lead a settled or a migratory life. During the winter they flock to the dumps near cities. They build their nests in trees and on rocks, coastal precipices, and tall structures. A single nesting place serves for generation after generation. From five to six eggs are laid once a year. The raven is an omniverous bird, but most of its food consists of animal food and carrion. A closely related species is the desert raven (C. ruficollis), brownish in color, which inhabits North Africa and southwest Asia; in the USSR it is found in the deserts of Middle Asia.

What does it mean when you dream about a raven?

Ravens are symbols of diabolical evil in traditional Christianity. This bird also symbolizes uncleanliness and death because it feeds upon dead and decaying animals. Because it is a sign of transformation, the raven is also associated with magicians and sorcerers.

raven

bird of ill omen visits the despairing poet. [Am. Lit.: Poe The Raven]

See: Birds

raven

guardian of the dead. [Christian Folklore: Mercatante, 159]

See: Guardianship

raven

often presages death or catastrophe. [Animal Folklore: Jobes, 213]

See: Omen

raven

1. a large passerine bird, Corvus corax, having a large straight bill, long wedge-shaped tail, and black plumage: family Corvidae (crows). It has a hoarse croaking cry

a. a shiny black colour

b. (as adjective): raven hair

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

References in classic literature ?

And both the Ravens nodded, and begged for a fixed appointment; for they thought of their old age, and said, "It is a good thing to have a provision for our old days."

View in context

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